Assist dog one step closer

SIGN UP: The Jassy Dean Trust is encouraging people to enter Wharf2Wharf and start getting sponsored to help pay for an assisting dog for Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman, 10. She is pictured with Annie, an assisting dog which visited in 2012.

Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman will be one step closer to getting a special dog that assists with daily tasks if Wharf 2 Wharf participants help out.

The annual Wharf 2 Wharf fun run and walk on Waiheke Island is less than one month away and people are being encouraged to register and raise funds for charity.

The Fullers Wharf 2 Wharf organising committee is collaborating with two charities - the Jassy Dean Trust and the Fred Hollows Foundation - to raise awareness of the services they deliver on the island and further afield.

For the first time, participants can opt to support one of these charities and get sponsored to raise funds for them.

One of the beneficiaries will be 10-year-old Ostend resident Charlotte.

Charlotte survived meningococcal disease when she was six months old and is a quadruple amputee.

Advertisement

She is looking forward to getting the assistance of a dog specially trained to meet her needs with everyday tasks. Charlotte's mum Pam Cleverley says it has taken time to find the right dog with the right personality for her daughter.

"As Charlotte needs quite a bit of assisting, the dog had to be one that showed an eager personality, one that wouldn't get sick of, say, picking the pen up a few times off the floor, and one that showed persistence."

A black female labrador called Mia has been chosen for Charlotte by the Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust. She lives with a trainer and is being socialised and trained around Charlotte's needs.

The dog costs $20,000.

The Jassy Dean Trust is helping to raise the money to pay for Mia.

Runners and walkers registered for the Wharf2Wharf on January 18 are being invited to contribute by signing up to the Givealittle website where they can be sponsored to help Charlotte get her dog.

Jassy Dean Trust trustee Wendy Saward says several of her fellow trustees will be taking part in the Wharf2Wharf and are encouraging others to sign up and get sponsored.

"We want to get in behind Charlotte and raise as much money as we can."

Wharf 2 Wharf participants can also sign up to help the Fred Hollows Foundation which works to restore sight around the Pacific region and beyond.

Visit wharf2wharf.co.nz to sign up for the Wharf2Wharf event. Visit givealittle.co.nz to find out how to get sponsored to raise funds for the Charlotte, via the Jassy Dean Trust.

CHARITY WALK AND RUN

The Fullers Wharf 2 Wharf is on January 18. 25km Orapiu to Matiatia starts at 8.30am. Entry is $40.

13km Orapiu to Onetangi starts at 8.30am. Entry is $30.

12km Onetangi to Matiatia starts at 9.30am. Entry is $30.

7km Kennedy Pt to Matiatia starts at 10.30am. Entry is $25 for individuals or $75 per family.

Visit wharf2wharf.co.nz to register then visit givealittle.co.nz to sign up to be sponsored for charity.